The biggest embarrassment for the coalition government in its 20-month first half has been the Rs 150-crore mining scandal, sensationally exposed by suspended BJP MLC Janardhana Reddy. Kumaraswamy was under the scanner after Reddy alleged that Bellarys illegal mining rackets had the CMs backing.
As the JD(S) and the BJP get into last-round parleys over the scheduled transfer of power, the Bellary connection is back in focus. Reports suggest that the JD(S) has demanded BJP’s Central pointman Yashwant Sinha for the ouster of Bellary’s big three: G Janardhana Reddy, B Sriramulu and G Karunakar Reddy, from the BJP.
The condition, in effect, sums up the uncomfortable truth: that the BJP’s cash-rich, powerful Bellary lobby is a nagging pain for the Deve Gowda family. The reasoning behind the JD(S) demand is the allegation of attempted murder, made by Minister Sriramulu against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. The unrest, however, had started way back.
Mining trouble
The biggest embarrassment for the coalition government in its 20-month first half has been the Rs 150-crore mining scandal, sensationally “exposed” by suspended BJP MLC Janardhana Reddy. Kumaraswamy was under the scanner after Reddy alleged that Bellary’s illegal mining rackets had the CM’s backing.
Reddy’s high-on-hype media briefing turned out to be a no-show. The damage, however, had already been done. The near-isolation that Reddy had to fight within his own party reflected how the JD(S) prevailed over the BJP on the issue. His suspension only formalised this.
Sriramulu’s recent charge has only served as an excuse the JD(S) was waiting for. The BJP, already perceived as being ruled over by the JD(S), will have to walk the tight rope with Bellary. The BJP’s thumping victory in the Bellary City Corporation election has asserted the party’s support base in the region. A base which BJP owes largely to the Reddy brothers and Sriramulu.
Interestingly, Reddy has also used the Bellary victory as a platform to reiterate his mining scandal charges. Clearly, they aren’t done with the Gowdas.
It may not be easy for the BJP to sacrfice the Reddy brothers. Because, it is a known fact that the Bellary mine owners managed the poll campaign of many party leaders during the last general elections.
The Reddys are also in good books of many party leaders at national level including Sushma Swaraj.
It is to be seen whether the BJP will sacrifice the cash rich Reddy brothers or will appease Gowda.
